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Normal Privatizes Crossing Guards

Crossing guard vest and whistle
Mario
/
Flickr
A private firm will take over crossing guard duty for Unit 5 elementary schools in Normal.

The Town of Normal is outsourcing its crossing guard program.

The Normal Town Council approved a proposal Monday to hire All City Management Services for up to $82,872 per year.

Police Chief Rick Bleichner said that's an increase, but does not take into account administrative costs and the need for police officers to sub as crossing guards when there are vacancies.

"There's also a lot of those soft costs. Over the last two years we have spent upwards of 300 to 350 hours that our staff has had to fill those vacancies. That's over eight weeks of time those officers could be used doing other jobs and other functions," said Bleichner.

Bleichner said there would be lower benefit costs, far less administrative time by the assistant chief dealing with communication and cancellations and turnover, and other benefits.

"Crossing guards are out there rain or shine, 180 days a year and they are working in all different kinds of weather, and we have had some rather substantial workers comp claim injuries that have happened over the years too from that program, and this would eliminate that," said Bleichner.

The City of Bloomington began using All City Management in August of last year.

Town staff said the California-based firm serves Dallas and 249 other guard programs in more than 20 states.

There are 10 crossings staffed in Normal for five Unit 5 elementary schools for one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon on school days.

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WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.
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